The Wright brothers succeeded in flying an airplane driven by an engine.
Source: tatoeba (29823)
Airplane
/ˈɛəˌpleɪ̯n/
Synonyms for "airplane" (228 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (46)
adjustable propelleraeroplaneafterburneraileronair ambulanceair controlsair scoopair scoutaircraftairfreighterairliftairlinerairscrewall-weather fighterambulanceamphibian transportantisubmarine planeassault transportastrodomeattack bomber
Strong matches (68)
cat stripchassischinclub planecoaxial propellerscockpitcoke-bottle fuselagecontrol surfacecontrol wiresconvertiplanecowlcrew compartmentcrop-dustercruisecruisercubdeckdihedraldive bomberdorsal airdome
Show 45 more words
driftdronedual controlsejection seatejectorelevatorelevonescort fighterferryfighterfinfinger patchflapflitfloatflyflying bananaflying fortressflying machineflying platformfreight transportfreighterfuel injectorfuselagegas-shaft hoodglideglidergoregrasshopperground-attack fightergull winggun mounthatchheavier-than-air craftheavy bomberheavy transporthelicopterhoodhophoverhovercrafthunterhydroplaneinstrumentsinterceptor
Noun(3 words)
Related words (114)
jackstayjetjet bomberjet pipejet planekeelkillerkitelaminar-flow systemlanding gearlaunching gearlaunching tubeleading edgelight bomberlight transportlinerlong-range bomberlongeronmailplanemedium bomber
Show 88 more words
military transportmobile command postmonoplacemonoplanemosquitomultipurpose planenacellenaval aircraftnaval bombernavigatenight fighternoseobservation planeornithopterpantsparasolparasol wingpathfinderpatrol bomberpatrol planepicket patrol planepilotless aircraftplanepodpontoonprecision bomberprivate planeproppropellerpropeller planeradar picket planereconnaissance planerescue helicopterrobot planerotor planerudderrudder barsailsailplanescoutscout planeseaplanesesquiplaneshipski landing gearski-planesky truckslitwingsoarspinnerspoilersport planespotter planespray stripspy planestabilizatorstabilizerstaystickstick controlstratofreighterstratojetstressed skinstruttailtail planetail skidtake the airtake wingtandem planetorpedo bombertorpedo strike aircrafttrainertrainer-bombertrainer-fightertransporttriplanetroop carriertroop transporttrussturbojetturretundercarriagevolplanevtolwheel partswingwing radiator
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: aeroplane, plane, adjustable propeller, aeroplane, afterburner.
- Sentence evidence is available for airplane, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "airplane".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "airplane"
Keep "airplane" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "airplane" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "airplane", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "airplane" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
2 entriesaircraftheavier-than-air craft
More specific
7 entriesbomber aircraftcargo airplanefighter aircraftlight aircraftpassenger airplanereconnaissance aircraftsingle-engine plane
Collocations
6 entriesairplane engineairplane manufacturerairplane ticketcargo airplanecommercial airplanepassenger airplane
Inflections
1 entriesSample sentences
13 total sentences available.
If I go by air one more time, I'll have flown in an airplane five times.
Source: tatoeba (31717)
The pilot landed the airplane in the field.
Source: tatoeba (35511)
The pilot flew the airplane.
Source: tatoeba (35512)
Showing 4 of 13 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "airplane"?
Closest matches include aeroplane, plane, adjustable propeller, aeroplane, afterburner.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "airplane"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.